Winemaker Notes
The wine shows a perfect balance between ripeness and minerality, fruit and acidity as well as density and elegance. Kastanienbusch typically shows mineral aromas – smoke, pepper, flint, hay, tea and spices as well as typical aromas of Riesling – citrus, apple, peach and apricot. The palate has the same balance between soil and grape variety: the soil creates the mineral, spicy notes. The wine – like all Rebholz wines – has a high aging potential.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Super-complex nose of wild herbs and licorice, plus notes of tropical flowers. Super concentrated and super-focused with an energy that knocks you back in your chair. Very long and pure finish that seems to vibrate on the palate. Made for the long term, but this is already accessible now.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2022 Kastanienbusch Riesling GG is intense and ripe, with dense, full-bodied fruit, and it's warmer and smoother than cool—an authentic 2022. It's full-bodied and dense on the palate yet creamy and elegant, and it has a well-balanced finish thanks to fine, zesty acidity. Showing first light bitter and petrol notes, this is probably not a long-distance runner.
The Rebholz estate, in the southern Pfalz region of Germany, is a pioneer in organic and natural winemaking. The estate has been certified organic since 2005 and practicing biodynamic since 2006. However, even as far back as 1951, Eduard Rebholz (1889-1966), who received the title Ökonomierat, an honorary title conferred upon a deserving agriculturist, was commenting on his natural approach: "You will receive only natural wine from my cellar, wine that is the result of intense and loving cultivation of the vines and of similar vinicultural methods (no chaptalization, no artificial addition of a Süßreserve or similar fundamental structural changes that alter the native character of the wine and, in my eyes, mean that it is no longer a natural product."
This tradition continues with the current generation; Birgit and Hansjörg Rebholz together with their children Hans, Valentin and Helene work as close to nature as possible. In an effort to promote a healthy ecosystem and to protect the environment, they forgo the use of herbicides, synthetic fungicides and mineral fertilizers. They use only organic and biodynamic techniques and materials that promote healthy plants, helping the vines grow strong and prosper naturally. While these methods involve more time and effort, it is a price they are willing to accept in order to best protect and preserve the biodiversity within their vineyards
The earliest recorded history of winegrowing by the Rebholz family in Siebeldingen dates back to 1632. From beer brewer to village mayor, family members have held a wide range of titles over the years. The single constant: always at least one winemaker in the family. Around 100 years ago the Rebholz clan took the estate house, first built in the 16th century, as their family home. The Rebholz family only began bottling their wine following the Second World War, as an alternative to delivering entire barrels to local inns and restaurants.
Riesling possesses a remarkable ability to reflect the character of wherever it is grown while still maintaining its identity. A regal variety of incredible purity and precision, this versatile grape can be just as enjoyable dry or sweet, young or old, still or sparkling and can age longer than nearly any other white variety. Somm Secret—Given how difficult it is to discern the level of sweetness in a Riesling from the label, here are some clues to find the dry ones. First, look for the world “trocken.” (“Halbtrocken” or “feinherb” mean off-dry.) Also a higher abv usually indicates a drier Riesling.
This sunny and relatively dry region served for many years as a German tourist mecca and was associated with low cost, cheerful wines. But since the 1980s, it has gained a reputation as one of Germany’s more innovative regions, which has led to increased international demand.